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← Return to Unbearable Neuropathy
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Hi, Louise
"Herd" of doctors is right! That's how I felt; I'd look at my month's calendar and think, "How did I ever manage to accumulate so many doctors?" Most every appointment was a "follow-up," and I'd long since learned what most follow-ups mean: you meet with the doctor, you tell him about any changes since the previous follow-up, and then the doctor says, "Sounds good, Ray. Let's do another follow-up in six months." It can be quite dizzying. Discouraging, too.
Did I mention my three-ring binder in my earlier post – the binder in which I'm collecting the best information I can find on the very few genuinely authoritative websites about my condition? I was explaining to my partner only last evening that I'm doing this not to "out-talk" my doctors (I'd never want to do that) but only so that I can be a fully-educated layperson about my condition and then, when I sit with my doctors, ask good and meaningful (helpful, too, to the doctor) questions.
Your saying how you miss the "freedom of motion" on your stationary bike put a smile on my face – a smile of shared sadness because I knew exactly what you meant. I used to be a big-time distance runner; when I had a knee replacement and had to give up running, I took up cycling as a replacement – outdoor cycling ("real" cycling! LOL) – but caught myself complaining to friends how cycling wasn't the same as running. Why? Because I missed the "freedom of motion." Now that I can no longer ride my bicycle outdoors but instead have to content myself with my stationary bike, I'm again telling friends I miss the "freedom of motion" I used to enjoy cycling outdoors. It's easy to think: Our lives keep getting narrower and narrower. LOL
My very best to you, Louise.
Cheers!
Ray
Replies to "Hi, Louise "Herd" of doctors is right! That's how I felt; I'd look at my month's..."
You could save paper (and maybe more organized) by bookmarking each site you find to be helpful.
If you never used it I’m sure you can google it.
And save a tree at the same time.
Luck to ya!
David
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Ray, you're so right. I used to ride my bike for miles also, and miss that. The 'feel-good neurotransmitters' of endorphins kept me going through thick and thin. That's an excellent idea collecting pertinent information about your condition, and describing it in detail to your doctor.
I find, though, some specialists seem to be in a rush misdiagnosing (in my case) and I end up back to square one. Haven't found one I can relate to in terms of getting it right. They decidedly 'out-talk' me regarding my condition, and who knows better than ourselves when it comes to pain?
Have had endless professionals, and it's becoming not only draining but very stressful. I've never had a doctor actually examine my bad foot, and compare it to the other for structural foot deformity.
Now I am through with pain specialists, Pregabalin, temporary short cuts, and shall see an orthopedic surgeon and go from there. I used to have a great sense of humor, but it's hammered to hell at this point. You still have it though which is a marvelous attribute.